Did Gable Steveson play college football? Why Bills signed former WWE star and Olympic gold medalist

The Bills parted ways with a number of high-end defensive players this offseason, including safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, defensive back Tre'Davious White and linebacker Leonard Floyd.

Yet there is a new face in Buffalo that is aiming to carve out a role on the defensive line.

Gable Steveson is aiming to do what so few have been able to accomplish — transition from one sport into professional football. Steveson has a background in wrestling, winning gold for the United States at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics before embarking on a career in the WWE.

His first football game with Buffalo proved successful. The defensive lineman impressed in his Bills debut, and is hoping to keep the momentum going with roster cuts on the horizon. He may be view as a long shot, but Steveson could surprise due to his athleticism.

The NFL has seen very few athletes make the switch from their respective sport into the league. Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata successfully changed from rugby to football, and Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox transitioned from basketball to the NFL.

Does Steveson have any football background? Here is what to know about his collegiate career before making the jump to the NFL.

MORE: Complete look at Bills' 2024 schedule

Did Gable Steveson play college football?

Steveson was a standout collegiate athlete at the University of Minnesota — but it was not with the Golden Gophers football program. Instead, it was with the wrestling team.

From 2018 to 2022, Stevenson dominated the college wrestling scene. The heavyweight wrestler won two national championships in three attempts, earning bronze in 2019 and gold in both 2021 and 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 competition. Steveson also won gold at the Big Ten championships in 2020, 2021 and 2022 as well as silver in 2019.

Steveson's career at Minnesota was briefly interrupted when he and a teammate were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual misconduct in June 2019. The two were promptly suspended following the news. Six months later, though, it was determined that no charges would be filed due to a lack of evidence.

Steveson also won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, coming in first place in 125kg freestyle wrestling.

Gable Steveson wrestling record

During his entire time at Minnesota, Steveson only lost two matches. Both defeats came at the hands of NCAA Division I champion Anthony Cassar, who attended Penn State.

Steveson was beaten by Cassar twice in his freshman season, but after that, he never lost again, winning national championships in both 2021 and 2022.

Gable Steveson height, weight

Steveson is listed at 6-1 and 265 pounds, according to the Bills website .

That's on the shorter end for a defensive lineman — only two of 25 defensive tackles measured in at 6-1 or shorter at this year's NFL Combine . But Steveson's strength is his biggest asset.